We received Young Reader's Classical Curriculum CD to review from Heritage History. What is the Young Reader's Classical Curriculum? It is a collection of books which make up the introductory unit of Heritage Classical Curriculum and is for grammar school aged students. It offers a broad introduction to Western Civilization. It includes selections from the other Heritage History collections that are shorter and easier to read for younger students. Included on the CD are 86 illustrated books, timelines, reading recommendations, a Teacher's Guide, short biographies and historical images. The subjects covered in this collection of books are American, European, and Ancient History, Bible and saint stories, legends and literature.
To learn more and see a list of the included books visit the Young Readers page.
When I received the CD I popped it into my computer and checked it out. It opens as a website although you aren't actually connected to the Internet although Heritage History used the same kind of software to make it easy to use. I selected a few books and opened them. You can open them in your browser or as a mobi or epub. I like easy so I checked them out in my browser. If I want to download them to an ipod I will ask my husband for help. I will probably print them for further use as I don't like my children to read from electronic screens. The books have a nice format and look like actual books with all of the older illustrations. I let a few of my children page through them and they enjoyed the drawings.
You can view a list of the books by subject and genre and the books are also organized by subject with short summaries to help you choose the book you need. The series books are also listed separately with a description of each one. I found the way the books were organized to be simple and user friendly. It should be easy to find exactly what you are looking for on the CD.
Study aids are included on the CD and are comprised of a general timeline, character lists, and images. You can print the timeline and character lists for students to reference as they study to help them get a proper perspective on History. There is also a Curriculum User Guide full of advice for keeping students on track, recommended sequence of instruction, guidelines for scheduling reading assignments and suggestions for oral and written review.
The 59 page Teacher's Guide offers sections on how children learn history, how children differ, what parents can do, recommended reading, historical divisions, and accountability forms.
I think this is a well priced CD to add to your homeschool as a History resource especially if you use Classical, Charlotte Mason, or other real books intensive teaching methods. I will be choosing and printing selections from this CD to add to our History shelf for my children to read.
To purchase visit Heritage History
Young Reader's Curriculum CD $24.99
Young Reader's Teacher's Guide
Printed Color Study Guide $20.99
Downloadable Study Guide $8.99
Heritage History also sells the printed versions of the books in this collection if you prefer printed material and don't want the hassle of printing books.
Disclaimer: As a member of TOS Homeschool Crew I received a free copy of this CD in order to write this review and have shared my honest opinion. If you would like to read more reviews please visit TOS Homeschool Crew blog.
